Budesonide Nasal Spray

Budesonide is used to treat symptoms of stuffiness and runny nose due to allergies. It is in a class of drugs called corticosteroids (cortisone-like drugs). This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Budesonide comes as an aerosol nasal spray to be sprayed in the nose. Budesonide is usually used once or twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use budesonide exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Budesonide treats symptoms in your nose; you may need other drugs if you have other allergy symptoms. Do not stop taking budesonide without talking to your doctor. Do not use budesonide if you have recently had a sinus infection, nasal bleeding, or surgery inside your nose. If you have recently stopped taking a corticosteroid drug by mouth, tell your doctor if you have joint pain, muscle pain, depression, or tiredness. These symptoms may mean that you have too little corticosteroid in your body. Before you use budesonide for the first time, read the written directions that come with it. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you how to use the nasal spray, and practice using it in front of them. Follow these steps:

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Blow your nose.</li>
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Open the canister by turning the arrow.</li>
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Shake the canister well, both before and between sprays.</li>
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Plug one nostril and place the end of the inhaler in the other nostril. Hold your breath and squeeze down on the canister to release the drug into your nose. If your doctor prescribes a second spray, repeat these steps with the inhaler in the other nostril.</li>
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Close the canister.</li></ul>

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Budesonide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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nose irritation or burning</li>
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bleeding or sores in the nose</li>
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lightheadedness</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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cough</li>
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hoarseness</li>
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dry mouth</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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difficulty breathing</li>
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white patches in the throat, mouth, or nose</li>
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irregular menstrual periods</li>
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severe acne</li>
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swelling of the face</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before using budesonide, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to budesonide or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially allergy and asthma medications and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had tuberculosis, herpes, or other infections. Avoid people with chicken pox or measles because you may be more sensitive to infection. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using budesonide.